Arsenal Boosted as Antoine Griezmann Rejects Real Sociedad Renewal Offer

Arsenal have been given a massive boost after Antoine Griezmann reportedly rejected a new contract offer at Real Sociedad, which could see the attacker ready to leave La Liga side this summer.

The France international ‒ whose contract expires in 2016 ‒ has been persistently linked with a move away from the Spanish club after a thrilling season in which he netted 16 league goals, having only been outscored by players in clubs battling for the La Liga crown.

Real Sociedad recently agreed terms with Arsenal over the sale of striker Carlos Vela to ensure his future remains at Anoeta – La Liga side paid the Gunners £2.5m in 2012 to secure 50% of the share from any future sale with Arsenal, inserting a £3.2m clause into the deal that entitled them to first refusal on the player.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Sociedad's second main objective was to avoid Griezmann's departure from Anoeta this summer by offering him an improved contract extension until 2018. However, the French star has reportedly rejected the Basque club's offer as he wants to move to a bigger club this summer.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco are among the clubs who have shown interest for Griezmann, but none of them have given Real a formal offer to close their signing.

Anyway the Basque club have made it clear that they are not willing to negotiate and the star will not leave Anoeta unless some team pay the player's €30m (£23.9m) buy-out clause – and for the moment no club have any intention to pay it.

Real Sociedad can wait until next summer to negotiate his departure, but now it would be a good time to sell him as next summer he will have only one year left in his contract and it will be more difficult to sell him for a higher price.